There have been a number of celebrities recently extolling the virtues of a gluten free diet. They claim to have more energy, less problems with digestion and weight loss. So is this a good option for menopause?
Some women find that they develop a sensitivity to gluten. This can manifest as skin problems, digestive effects, joint pain and numbness in the fingers and toes. In some cases these are symptoms of celiac disease which often results in abdominal pain, diarrhoea or constipation. If you have these symptoms it is important to consult your doctor for a diagnosis. Treatment will generally include adopting a gluten free diet.
Of people adopting a gluten-free diet only a small percentage have a gluten intolerance. The majority choose to eat this way as a diet or lifestyle choice. So is it a good option?
Gluten is found in wheat, barley, rye, kamut and most oats. It gives dough its elasticity. It is often present in beer and soy sauce and can be used as a stabilising agent in ice cream, ketchup and other food products. Unless you are gluten intolerant or have a wheat allergy, there is no problem in having gluten as part of your balanced diet.
It is easy to think that gluten-free products are healthy products. However, many gluten-free products contain other additives in order to compensate for the role played by the gluten. For example, gluten-free breads may contain added treacle as a colorant, xanthan gum for texture and a variety of e numbers for taste and texture. Gluten-free breads also have a much higher fat content.
Eating out can be a particular challenge. Some sandwich shops and restaurants now offer gluten free options but you should check what is on offer to avoid disappointment
If you want or need to adopt a gluten-free diet, the best approach is to eat naturally gluten free foods. For grains and flours options include:
- Amaranth
- Arrowroot
- Corn (Corn meal may have added gluten)
- Buckwheat
- Bean Flours
- Coconut flour
- Linseed
- Millet and Millet flour
- Nut Flours like Almond Meal
- Potato flour
- Quinoa
- Brown Rice and Brown Rice Flour
- Wild Rice
- Sorghum
- Tapioca
- Tef
There are some useful websites including http://celiac.org/celiac-disease/what-is-celiac-disease/
Pat Duckworth
Award Winning Author of ‘Hot Women, Cool Solutions’ and ‘Cool Recipes for Hot Women’
